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Online communities and older adults: the potential of social networks formed in the online community in enhancing social support, social connectedness and subjective well-being among Chinese older adults

ONLINE COMMUNITIES AND OLDER ADULTS:
THE POTENTIAL OF SOCIAL NETWORKS FORMED IN THE ONLINE
COMMUNITY IN ENHANCING SOCIAL SUPPORT, SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS
AND SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING AMONG CHINESE OLDER ADULTS
by
Shuya Pan
A Dissertation Presented to the
FACULTY OF THE USC GRADUATE SCHOOL
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
(COMMUNICATION)
August 2011
Copyright 2011 Shuya Pan

The dramatic social and economic changes in China, in addition to age-related factors, have increasingly eroded the social networks among Chinese older adults. New technologies have been proven useful in helping older adults maintain social contacts with distant family members and friends. The major purpose of this dissertation was to explore the potential of online communities in helping the older population expand social networks, obtain social support, enhance feelings of social connectedness, and engage in more social activities. Another aim of this project was to test a research model that explains how online community networks benefit the subjective well-being of older participants by applying the theoretical model proposed by Berkmen and Glass (2000) regarding social networks and health. The dissertation explored this issue through the investigation of OldKids (www.oldkids.cn), one of the most active senior-oriented online communities in China. The study collected 196 valid responses through an online survey posted on the OldKids website. Results indicated that online community involvement was a significantly positive predictor for older participants’ network size, perception of social support, feelings of social connectedness and attendance at volunteer activities. The study also found a very good fit of the research model. In conclusion, the results of the dissertation enabled us to have clearer understanding of how online communities hold promise for broadening social networks and improving the subjective well-being of this population.

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ONLINE COMMUNITIES AND OLDER ADULTS:
THE POTENTIAL OF SOCIAL NETWORKS FORMED IN THE ONLINE
COMMUNITY IN ENHANCING SOCIAL SUPPORT, SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS
AND SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING AMONG CHINESE OLDER ADULTS
by
Shuya Pan
A Dissertation Presented to the
FACULTY OF THE USC GRADUATE SCHOOL
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
(COMMUNICATION)
August 2011
Copyright 2011 Shuya Pan